An innovation in techniques for anchoring aquaculture cages to the sea floor may allow the farming of fish in more remote and exposed locations.
The new anchoring system forms a mechanical ground lock with the rock seabed without the need for resin or grout, according to the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre, which is working with a group of researchers and private firms to improve and commercialize the advancement.
“While traditional gravity and drag anchors made of concrete or steel are suitable for existing fish farming sites, the new technology could support the deployment of aquaculture sites in more remote, higher-energy locations,” it said. “The reduction in weight also allows operators to use modestly-sized, readily-available vessels for deployment.”
SAIC has worked with tidal energy technology specialist Sustainable Marine Energy Ltd (SME), the University of Dundee; Gael Force Group, and software provider Optum to develop and test the technology.
“The initial testing phase has been successfully completed and the results will allow the group to accurately predict the loads and capacity that rock anchors can bear in field trials,” SAIC said in a press release. “The findings will also enable SME to reduce the amount of material required to manufacture the anchors, leading to a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly product. The group is now looking for an aquaculture partner to trial the new anchors at a fish farm, progressing towards a full-scale deployment.”
Adam Caton, a geotechnical engineer with Sustainable Marine Energy, said the new system has the potential to allow the operation of large farms in areas where there are larger tides and more waves.
“This will bring benefits in terms of fish fitness and waste dispersal,” Caton said. “This is a new sector for us and a market in which we are extremely interested. The next stage is to trial the technology at a fish farm alongside continued lab testing, to take another step forward in bringing the product to market.”
SAIC CEO Heather Jones said the development could be significant for the future of aquaculture in Scotland.
“It builds on many of our previous projects around fish wellbeing and it is particularly pleasing to bring skills from another key area of the Scottish economy into aquaculture, underlining the potential for cross-sector collaboration and knowledge sharing,” Jones said.
Photo courtesy of Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre
